Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As a result of the work done to improve the quality of service to the population over the past period, positive results have been achieved. In 2017-2023, construction work was carried out at 5,870 sites, 31,837.5 km of water supply and sewerage networks were laid and reconstructed.

As a result, drinking water supply has been improved for 11.8 million citizens, and 6.6 million residents have gained access to drinking water supply for the first time. In 2023, the level of drinking water supply from 74.5 percent reached 77.2 percent. For the first time, 1 million 100 thousand residents received access to drinking water supply, and drinking water supply was improved for 2 million 500 thousand residents.

In 2024, work will also consistently continue to fulfill the tasks outlined in the field of improving drinking water supply and sanitation services.

Firstly, at the expense of funds in the amount of 1.3 trillion. soums, 1.3 thousand km of water supply and sewerage networks will be laid and repaired, construction and repair work will be done in 75 structures. In 30 areas with low drinking water supply, 459 km of networks will be laid and 24 water supply and sewerage facilities will be built.

Secondly, measures will be taken to speed up work by saving allocated funds based on an in-depth analysis of each of the 21 projects implemented using US$2.2 billion in loans from international financial institutions.

Today, according to the results of preliminary studies, US$142 million has been saved across 6 projects with a total cost of US$993 million.

Using the savings, 8 km of water supply network will be laid in Tashkent region, 54 km of sewerage network in Jizzakh, 37 km of water supply and 15 km of sewerage network in Bukhara, and the capacity of three water treatment facilities in Khorezm will be doubled.

In 2024, using funds in the amount of US$247 million, 562 km of network will be laid and 9 structures will be built.

Thirdly, by connecting water supply networks to households and by reaching new consumers, the consumer base will be increased by 221 thousand subscribers. 336 thousand water meters will be installed.

Fourthly, to reduce costs and improve the material and technical base by saving energy, 426 pumps will be replaced with energy-saving ones. Solar panels with a capacity of 66 MW will be installed, and 160 units of special equipment will be purchased.

Fifthly, in order to streamline water consumption through digitalization of the industry, creating an electronic map of existing networks, and introducing a SCADA system, US$125 million will be raised from the Asian Development Bank. As a result of the implementation of these measures, the volume of water loss will be reduced by half (currently 30 percent).

Sixthly, in order to attract the private sector to the industry, on an experimental basis in the cities of Kagan, Shirin, Yangier, Bekabad and Yangiyul, the drinking water supply and sanitation system will be transferred to management under the terms of a public-private partnership.

As a result of the measures planned for implementation by the end of 2024, the level of drinking water supply to the population will be increased to 81 percent.